An annual census of international students in the U.S. says their numbers on North Carolina campuses rose nine percent in the last academic year.

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New figures out Monday from the Institute of International Education show international enrollment at North Carolina colleges and universities grew nearly nine percent last year to more than 15,000.

North Carolina State University leads with nearly 4,000 foreign students. Next is Duke University and its medical center, followed by University of North Carolina campuses in Chapel Hill, Charlotte and Greensboro. None are in the top 20 U.S. universities attended by foreign students.

Most of the foreign students in North Carolina come from China, followed by India, South Korea and Saudi Arabia.

About 4 percent of the 21 million students in U.S. higher education are from abroad.